PADDINGTON IN PERU Reviewed by GREG KING.
Director: Dougal Wilson
Stars: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Julie Walters, Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Hayley Atwell, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant.

This is the third film in the series following the adventures of everybody’s favourite marmalade loving bear, and it is full of the warmth and good-natured humour that audiences have come to expect. But this third film also sees Paddington taken out of his comfort zone as he and the Brown family head off to the jungles of Peru in search of his beloved Aunt Lucy.
When the film opens Paddington (again voiced by Ben Whishaw) brings us up to date on the happenings of his adoptive Brown family. Mary (Emily Mortimer replacing Sally Hawkins in the role) has been painting but misses how her family seems to have drifted apart even though they all share the same house. Henry (Hugh Bonneville, from tv series Downton Abbey, etc) has a new American boss at his insurance company who urges him to “embrace the risk” rather than avoiding it. Daughter Judy (Madeleine Harris) is applying to study at university, choosing one far from home, much to Mary’s annoyance. And Jonathon (Samuel Joslin) rarely leaves his bedroom, preferring to “chill” and play video games.
Then Paddington receives a letter from the Reverend Mother, the nun in charge of a retirement home for bears where Aunt Lucy lives. The letter informs Paddington that Lucy is depressed and missing him. Paddington decides that he needs to go to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy and cheer her up. He asks the Brown family to come with him. They are accompanied by their live-in housekeeper Mrs Bird (Julie Walters). But when they arrive at the retirement home the guitar toting mother (Oscar winner Olivia Colman, from The Favorite, etc) informs them that Lucy has gone missing.
Clues indicate that she has gone off in search of the legendary treasure of El Dorado. Paddington and the Brown family head off in pursuit. They acquire the services of suave but roguish riverboat captain Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his feisty daughter Gina (Carla Tous). But Hunter, who is cursed by his own family’s past and traditions, has his own agenda here. What follows is an adventure that takes the Browns deep into the dangerous Amazon rainforest. And while the Browns are off in the jungle, Mrs Bird begins to grow suspicious of the reverend mother who seems to be harbouring a secret.
Paddington In Peru was written by Mark Burton (Shaun The Sheep Movie, etc) and Jon Foster and James Lamont (who both wrote for the tv series The Adventures Of Paddington) who are familiar with the character and his world. While the plotting seems a little generic, the writers work through a number of familiar themes including the strength of belonging, family, loyalty, greed, taking risks, and learning to recognise what is important in life.
The film was directed by Dougal Wilson, a veteran of short films and music videos making his feature film debut here. He manages to maintain the whimsical nature established by original director Paul King. He and the team of writers have incorporated many cinematic references throughout the film, with obvious nods to Indiana Jones, The Sound Of Music, The Singing Nun, The African Queen amongst many others, most of which will resonate with older audiences. Younger audiences will appreciate the plethora of sight gags and physical pratfalls throughout. Cinematographer Erik Wilson (Paddington 2, etc) does a great job with the visuals, giving us a strong sense of place and capturing the beauty of the Amazon. The production design from Andy Kelly (Ben Wheatley’s A Field In England, etc) is also very good.
The performances across the board are perfectly attuned to the demands of the material, with Whishaw again bringing plenty of charm and optimism to his vocal work as the CGI created Paddington. Banderas chews the scenery as the treasure hunting old sea dog, while Colman has fun as the duplicitous Mother Superior, channelling Julie Andrews in one scene. Regulars such as Jim Broadbent and Hayley Atwell briefly appear at the star of the film. And stay through the final credit sequences for a surprise cameo from Hugh Grant, briefly reprising his villainous role from Paddington 2.
But while entertaining enough and perfect family viewing for the holiday season, this third film in the series fall short of the excellent Paddington 2, which was one of those rare sequels that were better than the original.
★★★